The main issue I see with third party is typically quality control. That may result in shorter useful life span. The other issue can be slight variations in chemistry depending on the ultimate sourceof the included cells.

In the final analysis it maybe a bit like automotive batteries - there are many brands but only few plants producing them.

I too purchased high capacity generic batteries from Hong Kong well over 10 years ago, these were for a Sony Hi8 camcorder, even now these are still holding their charge ok - I just wish I could remember the company I got them from so that I could see if they do batts for my Canon XA20.

As with a lot of this type of stuff there are no markings on the product to identify them or where they came from apart from the standard " Made in Hong Kong"

I ordered the battery + charger from the link provided by Gary in his earlier post, items arrived today, took just over a week to be delivered from placing the order.

Everything working as it should, upon attaching the battery to my XA20 it shew 216 minutes of charge, after charging in supplied charger it shew 267 minutes - used it to run camera in media mode for approx 10 minutes and then charged this time via the camera - when charging completed, now showing 273 minutes.

Well pleased with this purchase, only time will tell how it will last but only having paid £30.01p ( $41.20 ) in total, I don't consider this a big deal if it does not last too long, and as a bonus I've got a stand alone charger for the original BP-820 battery.